[Cover Story]

< Lounge in the Overseas Koreans Welcome Center>

FOR A COMFORTABLE STAY IN INCHEON 

OPENING OF THE OVERSEAS KOREANS WELCOME CENTER

Overseas Koreans refer to a group of Korean people living overseas. 

In Korean, the term 'compatriot' conveys the idea of shared ancestry or heritage, emphasizing a connection to the root group, whether it is a clan, tribe, or ethnicity. 

In this sense, they are naturally connected to their mother country.

Overseas Koreans visiting Korea for various personal reasons are full of curiosity and affection. Incheon is the first place they set foot upon arriving in Korea by plane.

<  Incheon Holds Proclamation Ceremony for "2025-2026 : Year of Overseas Koreas' Exchange and Vist" >

 <  The signing of an MOU between Incheon Metropolitan City, the Incheon MICE Alliance and three international and foreign school: Chadwick international Songdo, Cheongna Dalton School, and Calvin Manitoba International School>

PROVIDING CONVENIENCE FOR LIVING IN INCHEON

About 120 years ago, many Koreans left Jemulpo Port in Incheon for a strange place called Hawaii, including workers who boarded ships to escape hunger, those who left chasing dreams, and others forced to leave due to war. Incheon, where the official emigration from the Republic of Korea began, has become a city that welcomes overseas Koreans worldwide coming to visit their mother country. Incheon has successfully attracted the Overseas Koreans Agency and has established facilities to enhance convenience for overseas Koreans. Last October, Incheon opened the Overseas Koreans Welcome Center, a space for communication and exchange for overseas Koreans.

The Overseas Koreans Welcome Center will operate programs to improve convenience for overseas Koreans visiting or living in Incheon and serve as a base for their activities in Korea. It also operates a website that provides comprehensive information on various areas, such as healthcare, tourism, and education in Incheon. The center plans to host programs, exhibitions, and events tailored for overseas Koreans, making full use of its facilities.

<Open Office / Conference Room>

PROVIDING VARIOUS SPACES AND SERVICES

A comfortable lounge catches your eyes when they enter the center. It is a space where you can freely rest, and the view of Songdo Central Park through the large glass windows is charming. There are also books on various topics on the bookshelf that you can enjoy. A gallery next to it is currently holding an exhibition themed ‘Revisiting Hometown, Writing My Own Story.’ It introduces overseas Koreans' history, current status, and special stories through various exhibits and videos.

Once inside, there are various conference rooms and office spaces. It includes facilities ranging from small meeting rooms to conference spaces for training and forums. In particular, it features open and independent office spaces that are available without reservations, providing a comfortable work environment. In addition, the Korean Business Center is located on one side of the Overseas Koreans Welcome Center. It is a dedicated body that facilitates investment and economic activities for overseas Korean businesspeople in Incheon. It will support investment consultation and consulting, overseas Korean business promotion marketing, and joint growth with Incheon’s local companies.

<The gallery is currently holding an exhibition themed 'Revisiting Hometown, Writing My Owm'>

OVERSEAS KOREANS WELCOME CENTER INFO.

o Address : 30F, Buyong Songdo Tower at 241 Incheon tower-daero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon

o Hours : Weekdays 9:00-18:00

                   * Closed on weekends, public holidays, alternative holidays, etc.

o Eligibility : Overseas Koreans visiting and residing in Incheon

o Key Facilities : Lounge and rest area, gallery, open office, conference room, meeting room, seminar rooms 1, 2, and 3

                                  * Conference rooms, meeting rooms, and seminar rooms 1, 2, and 3 require a reservation on the website

o  Website : www.incheon.go.kr/welcomecenter

* The Overseas Koreans Welcome Center is a space for communication and exchange for overseas Koreans. For complaints related to overseas Koreans, please contact the ‘365 Civil Complaints Center for Overseas Koreans (02-6247-0404).’

<Gallery; An exhibition space where overseas Koreans can participate and use>

+ LEARN MORE

INCHEON WELCOMES OVERSEAS KOREANS

Incheon envisions becoming a world-class city with three million Incheon citizens and seven million overseas Koreans. To achieve this vision, solidarity with overseas Koreans is crucial. On October 18, Incheon held the proclamation ceremony for the ‘2025-2026 Incheon Exchange and Visit Year for Overseas Koreans’ at Gyeongwonjae Ambassador Incheon in Songdo. This was to present a blueprint for expanding exchange and communication with seven million overseas Koreans worldwide. Incheon signed a business agreement with the Incheon Tourism Organization and Incheon MICE Alliance to provide various tourism benefits to overseas Koreans and signed a business agreement with Chadwick International School Songdo, Cheongna Dalton School, and Calvin Manitoba International School, aiming to deliver educational services to the next generation of overseas Koreans. In addition, Incheon held a citizen contest and chose the slogan ‘Incheon: Open the World, Link the People.’ During the 2025-2026 Incheon Exchange and Visit Year, Incheon plans to operate an Overseas Koreans Visit Week to commemorate World Korean Day (October 5). In addition, Incheon will provide various tourism benefits such as welcome concerts for overseas Koreans, providing multilingual tourist information, operating a welcoming booth that provides tourism and transportation information, and discounted bus tours.